The Safer Media Initiative (SMI) has raised concerns over a widening artificial intelligence (AI) skills gap in Nigerian newsrooms, warning that inadequate training could undermine journalistic standards and credibility.
The organisation said recent findings show that while AI adoption among journalists is widespread, formal training remains critically low. According to SMI, about 95 per cent of journalists already use AI tools regularly, yet only around 10 per cent have received structured training on their use.
Speaking at a training session in Abuja themed “AI Tools for Journalists: Effective, Responsible and Safe Use,” SMI Executive Director, Peter lorter, described the trend as a growing risk to ethical journalism.
“AI is rapidly transforming journalism globally, and Nigerian journalists must not be left behind, but must also not abandon ethical principles guiding the profession,” he said.
Iorter warned that the widespread use of AI tools without proper guidance could lead to inaccuracies, ethical breaches, and erosion of public trust. He added that many newsrooms currently lack clear policies on AI usage, further compounding the problem.
“Journalists are already using AI tools regularly, but very few have been trained by their newsrooms on how to use AI effectively and responsibly,” he said, noting that the imbalance highlights an urgent need for capacity building.
The training forms part of SMI’s Artificial Intelligence and Media (AIM) Project, supported by UNESCO, which aims to equip journalists with the skills required to safely and effectively deploy AI in their reportage.
Also speaking, AI journalism expert Titilope Oparinde said the role of journalists remains central despite the rise of automation. “AI will not replace journalists who know how to use it; it will replace those who refuse to learn how to use it,” she said, urging media professionals to embrace continuous learning.
Oparinde explained that while AI tools can assist with tasks such as transcription, translation and summarisation, they cannot replace editorial judgement or ethical decision-making.
In a similar development, data expert Oluseyi Olufemi stressed the importance of verification when using AI-generated content, warning that journalists must remain “gatekeepers of truth” by fact-checking outputs before publication.
Industry observers say the development reflects a broader challenge facing Nigerian journalism, where technological adoption is outpacing skills development, leaving gaps in digital literacy, ethics, and newsroom preparedness.
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SMI said it plans to expand training programmes across the country and develop frameworks to guide responsible AI use, as part of efforts to strengthen professional standards and safeguard the integrity of journalism in the digital age.
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